Exclusive: ‘LPU’s Next 25-Year Vision Is to Build a Sports Ecosystem and Make India an Olympic Powerhouse’

New Delhi, Oct 28: India's ambitions for the 2036 Olympic Games will require more than elite athletes and world-class facilities. Building a sustained pipeline of talent, strengthening sports science and ensuring young athletes can balance education with competitive careers will be equally important.

Lovely Professional University (LPU), which has completed 25 years, wants to play a larger role in that process by developing a sporting ecosystem that goes beyond medals.

In an exclusive conversation with myKhel, LPU Chancellor and Rajya Sabha MP Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal outlined how universities can contribute to talent identification, athlete development and India's long-term sporting ambitions.

As the university looks towards its next 25 years, both leaders stressed the importance of combining coaching, infrastructure, scholarships and academic support to help athletes progress from promising youngsters to international-level performers.

Ashok Mittal: Universities Must Build A Sporting Ecosystem

Dr Mittal believes universities must expand their role beyond producing athletes who win medals. They should also develop coaches, sports scientists, researchers, administrators and other professionals who contribute to the wider sporting ecosystem.

"The next 25 years have to take this philosophy much further. I would like LPU to contribute not just athletes to Indian sport, but an ecosystem," he told myKhel.

He said universities should also share effective training methods, sports-science practices and talent-identification models so that their work benefits the wider sporting community.

For India, which is pursuing its ambition of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, Dr Mittal believes preparation must begin well in advance. The athletes expected to compete at the Games are already in their formative years, making early identification and sustained development essential.

Universities can help bridge the gap between grassroots participation and elite competition through coaching, performance research, injury prevention and academic pathways for athletes.

However, Dr Mittal said stronger coordination between schools, universities, sports federations, governments and high-performance centres is needed to ensure athletes do not encounter disruptions when moving between different stages of their careers.

"A talented athlete shouldn't get thrown into another system altogether when graduating from school to university and from university to national competitions," he said.

He also called for greater public-private partnerships and investment in professionals such as coaches, physiotherapists, nutritionists, analysts and sports administrators.

'Talent Identification Must Go Beyond Medals'

Dr Mittal said identifying promising athletes requires institutions to look beyond established names and national rankings. "Talent does not always come with a medal and a national ranking," she said.

He explained that university-level competitions and trials allow coaches and sports faculty to assess students over time, helping identify potential that might otherwise go unnoticed.

However, identifying talent is only the first step. Athletes also need specialist coaching, quality facilities, competitive exposure and financial support to progress.

Dr Mittal said scholarships should not merely reward achievements already accomplished but should also help promising youngsters develop their potential.

"If institutions only support athletes after they become successful, we're supporting the result rather than nurturing the journey," he said.

He added that financial circumstances should not determine whether a talented student can continue pursuing sport. LPU provides scholarships and financial assistance to athletes, alongside academic flexibility that allows them to train and compete while continuing their education.

Sports Science And Infrastructure Key To Elite Performance

Dr Ashok Mittal further added that international performances depend on several elements working together, rather than on infrastructure or coaching alone.

"International performance is rarely the result of one exceptional coach or one good facility. It emerges from an ecosystem wherein training, recovery, competition, nutrition, physical preparation and academic support come together," he stated.

LPU has indoor and outdoor facilities for disciplines including badminton, squash, shooting, swimming, diving, wrestling, boxing, tennis, basketball, volleyball and cricket. The university also provides access to sports physiotherapy and competitive opportunities.

The Member of the Rajya Sabha stressed that athletes must understand the science behind performance, including recovery, conditioning, sports medicine and injury prevention.

The transition from promising talent to international-level performer, he said, requires athletes to train intelligently and receive support tailored to their individual needs.

Glasgow Commonwealth Games And Asian Games Success

LPU's recent performances at major multi-sport events have reinforced the university's emphasis on combining education with competitive sport.

LPU athletes won eight medals, including four gold, at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and he described the achievement as a reflection of the work put in by athletes, coaches, families and the wider support system. He said the focus now must be on building processes that can be replicated across disciplines and help more young athletes succeed.

Dr Mittal also highlighted LPU's performance at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, where, according to her, 32 university students won 28 medals, including 13 gold, 11 silver and four bronze.

He said institutional support before, during and after major competitions was essential. Athletes need access to quality training, experienced coaches, scholarships and academic flexibility, while their development must continue regardless of whether they win medals.

For the university, he added, the objective is to prepare athletes for sustained sporting success while ensuring they have opportunities to continue their education and build secure futures.

Balancing Sporting Careers With Education

Both leaders stressed that young athletes should not have to choose between pursuing professional sport and securing their long-term future through education.

Dr Mittal said LPU's EduRevolution and Earn Your Fee Back initiatives aim to help students gain practical experience and financial independence while continuing their studies and sporting careers.

He pointed out that professional sport can be unpredictable, with injuries, fluctuations in performance and relatively short competitive careers creating uncertainty for athletes.

Education can provide alternative career pathways, including opportunities in coaching, sports management, physiotherapy and other fields, while helping athletes develop skills that remain useful beyond competition.

As LPU enters its next 25 years, the leadership's stated ambition is to strengthen the systems supporting athletes and develop professionals who can contribute to Indian sport in multiple capacities.

For India, the broader challenge will be to ensure that talent is identified early, supported consistently and given a clear pathway from grassroots participation to international competition. Universities, the two leaders believe, can play an important role in building that system.